Case Study: Streamlining a Double-Ended Ferry Bridge in Both Sailing Directions with ScreenBridge All-in-One Video Processor in the North Sea
Overview
Expanding our footprint in North Sea waters, a client operating a double-ended ferry on demanding Nordic routes has deployed Craltech’s ScreenBridge to streamline its bridge infrastructure in both sailing directions.
A double-ended ferry sails bow-first in either direction, so the bridge must deliver complete operational clarity no matter which way the vessel is heading. To achieve this, one display faces each direction of travel, each driven by a single ScreenBridge 24x24 all-in-one video processor configured with 8 inputs, 2 x 4K outputs and 8 KVM.
Project Objective
When navigating demanding Nordic routes, operational clarity is a key day-to-day priority. The challenge on a modern ferry bridge is managing the volume of operational feeds — radars, navigation and multiple CCTV streams — and presenting them clearly to the crew in both directions of travel, alongside the vessel’s primary systems.
The goal was to consolidate every source into a single, unified control setup, with a seamless and intuitive operator experience: no extra glue devices, no added latency, just pure Zero Friction engineering for when the crew needs it most.
The Solution: ScreenBridge 24x24 Integration
Craltech’s ScreenBridge All-in-One Video Processor consolidates radar, navigation and CCTV into one unified platform, combining Matrix, Multiviewer and KVM functionality in a single hardware-based unit. Built on FPGA technology, it guarantees real-time processing with zero operating-system dependencies for reliable 24/7 operation.
Bridge configuration:
✅ One display in each direction: a dedicated 4K screen faces each end of the double-ended ferry.
✅ Two radars connected: radar imaging is distributed to the screens for full situational awareness.
✅ Dual-screen CCTV per end: each end of the ferry has its own CCTV client feeding the ScreenBridge over two HDMI outputs — a multiscreen setup that lets the operator glide the mouse seamlessly between camera views.
✅ 8 inputs / 2 x 4K outputs / 8 KVM: a single ScreenBridge 24x24 handles all aggregation, routing and multiview.
Seamless Control with StreamDeck
To make the user experience completely seamless and intuitive, the system is controlled directly via StreamDeck from Elgato. One StreamDeck is dedicated to each screen, connected over Ethernet/PoE, and drives the ScreenBridge through Bitfocus Companion and SNMP — while the CCTV software itself is controlled directly from Bitfocus via the CCTV server’s REST API.
From the StreamDeck, the operator can choose which CCTV input the ScreenBridge displays, and independently select different cameras and layouts for each CCTV input. A single “SOS” button, for example, instantly pulls up the muster-station cameras on the CCTV client and switches the ScreenBridge to show that input fullscreen — all with one press.
The same control layer also manages screen brightness: dimming on the displays is implemented via Bitfocus over a TCP connection, so the crew can adapt the bridge to changing light conditions from the same intuitive interface — with no extra glue devices and no added latency.
Why This Matters
On a double-ended ferry running demanding Nordic routes, the crew benefits from a clear, consolidated view whichever way the vessel is sailing. By consolidating radar, navigation and CCTV onto one ScreenBridge per direction and exposing it through a simple StreamDeck, Craltech delivers a centralized AV overview that supports the crew’s workflow alongside their primary systems.
Looking Ahead
This deployment expands Craltech’s footprint in the North Sea and shows how ScreenBridge continues to simplify complex marine bridges. A huge thank you to our integrator partner for the great support and for sharing the photos from this installation.
🔗 Interested?
Explore the ScreenBridge solution and discover how your fleet can benefit from intelligent, zero-friction bridge integration.
Learn more at: https://www.craltech.com/screenbridgeKVM
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